Friday, 27 May 2016

28 May 2016

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings

Saturday 28 May 2016

Morning Prayer

Psalm
71

This
psalmist is an older person who has had a life of connection with God.The psalm is of praise and a plea for
deliverance from personal enemies. The psalmist promises to use music to
proclaim God and praise God.

1
Chronicles 29: 10 – 30

David
praises God and proclaims that all riches and honour and glory come from God.
He then makes it clear that the offerings are humbly given since God is only
receiving back things that are God’s.He
prays for all the people gathered, that their hearts might ever be directed to
God. He prays for Solomon that he will keep God’s commandments and build the
temple. He then blesses the Lord and all join in and bow and kneel. What
follows is a great sacrifice for Israel and feast.

Solomon
is reaffirmed as king and anointed. Zadok is made the priest. Solomon sits on
the throne and David’s other sons pledged their allegiance to him. The Lord
blesses Solomon and David lives out his days in comfort and honour.

Acts
6: 1 – 7

The
number of Christians is increasing and those who are originally from Greek
speaking cultures notice that their widows are missing out on the food
distribution. The apostles are torn between their duty to spread the gospel and
serve on tables. They made the decision to appoint 12 deacons (many have Greek
names) to distribute the food properly while the apostles focus on prayer and
preaching. The deacons are blessed through the laying on of hands. The word of
God spreads and many of the priests in the temple became Christian.

Collect for Morning Prayer

Mission to SeafarersGladstone Qld L Osburn

Compassionate and practical Lord,
you provide for us and guide us in organising and administering your gifts for
the benefit of all. Be with us and guide us today. May the decisions we make be
compassionate, practical, inclusive and respectful just like the apostles in
the early years of the church, so that we too strengthen and increase the
community of believers through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of
your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saturday 28 May 2016

Evening Prayer

Psalm
119: 65 – 88

In this
section the psalmist says that in the past he had gone astray, then was
punished and humbled. These events led to study of the law and following God.
Now, others are being arrogant, flout the law and attack him. The psalmist asks
for deliverance and promises to keep the faith and be steadfast.

Deuteronomy
11: 13 – 32

Moses
continues to encourage the Israelites to make sure they keep the commandments
when they get into the new land and to teach their children and generations to
come the stories of God’s greatness. He says to them write them on your
doorposts and fences. That is, write the stories so people can read them when
they approach you[1]
.

Moses
explains that there is a blessing and a curse. If the Israelites are faithful
to God they will be blessed. If not, if they follow other gods they will be
cursed. Diligent observance of the commandments is required.

2
Corinthians 2: 12 – 3: 6

This
passage of Paul’s tells of his movements and the realities of his anxieties as
he goes from place to place. Also it is lyrical and speaks of Christians as Christ’s
aroma to God – that we spread Christ’s fragrance.

He
then says that what he does is not the same as marketing or sales. He isn’t
selling Christianity. He is testifying and we are people of sincerity. We don’t
need letters of introduction because where there are Christians we are already
linked and connected by the Holy Spirit. It is not our skill that links us, but
God making us competent ministers of the Spirit.

Collect for Evening Prayer

Mission to SeafarersGladstone Qld L Osburn

Oh Holy Lord by your grace and by
your Spirit we are enthused and made competent to tell of your great love for
us, the story of Jesus, the stories of your people of faith throughout the ages
and to share your love and care. Excite us now to share in whatever way works
for us and for the communities in which we find ourselves so that your love may
be felt throughout the world through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, and the
power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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feedback.

[1]A modern equivalent is putting the stories on
your social media page – on your digital gateway.